Defining the role of humidity in the ambient degradation of few-layer black phosphorus

作者：Walia Sumeet; Sabri Ylias; Ahmed Taimur; Field Matthew R; Ramanathan Rajesh; Arash Aram; Bhargava Suresh K; Sriram Sharath; Bhaskaran Madhu; Bansal Vipul; Balendhran Sivacarendran

来源：2D Materials, 2017, 4(1): 015025.

DOI：10.1088/2053-1583/4/1/015025

• black phosphorus
• phosphorene
• humidity sensing
• photo-oxidation
• two-dimensional materials

Few-layer black phosphorus (BP) is an emerging material of interest for applications in electronics. However, lack of ambient stability is hampering its incorporation in practical devices as it demands for an inert operating environment. Here, we study the individual effects of key environmental factors, such as temperature, light and humidity on the deterioration of BP. It is shown that humidity on its own does not cause material degradation. In fact, few-layer BP is employed as a recoverable humidity sensor. This study eliminates humidity as an active parameter in BP degradation. Hence, by simply isolating BP from light, its lifetime can be prolonged even in the presence of O-2. As such, this study opens the pathway for devising new strategies for the practical implementation of BP.

• 出版日期2017-3